Most modern digital cameras produce images that meet the minimum recommended dimensions when set to 3 megapixels or higher. For larger print formats such as Canvas Prints and poster-sized products, higher resolution settings may be beneficial. Setting above 10 megapixels aren't necessary.
JUMP TO: Helpful Tips | Image Resolution | Resolution Related to File Size | Low Resolution Warnings | Dots Per Inch | Image Resolution Troubleshooting
Helpful Tips
- Cropping reduces image resolution; uploading the original image and using Shutterfly's cropping tool is recommended.
- Resolution quality is automatically checked by Shutterfly, but clarity, focus, and composition are not evaluated.
Image Resolution
- Resolution may be describe by image width and height or total pixel count.
- Example: An image measuring 1600x1200 pixels contains 1,920,000 pixels (approximately 2 megapixels).
Resolution Related to File Size
Low-Resolution Warnings
- A Low-Resolution warning indicates that the image may not meet the minimum size requirements for quality printing.
- Resolution refers to the number of pixels per inch.
- Prior to printing, pixels lack fixed dimensions and exist only as digital data.
- Pixelation occurs when resolution is insufficient.
- Fewer pixels per inch result in lower image clarity.
- Higher resolution produces sharper images.
- Cropping can reduce resolution, even if the original image meets size requirements.
- Images may appear clear on screens but still print poorly if resolution is low.
- Low-Resolution Warning Tips
- Resize the images to a smaller dimension until the warning disappears (only applies to Photo Books).
- Use an alternative image with sufficient resolution.
- Instead of using an image from social media, use the original full-size image file.
- Increasing resolution with software may degrade image quality.
- Enlarging pixels causes printed images to appear pixelated.
- Images may meet resolution requirements but not fit layout dimensions properly.
- Ensure photo boxes contain images with appropriate dimensions and orientation.
- Printed items may crop up to 1/8 inch at the edges.
DPI (Dots Per Inch)
- Shutterfly provides resolution recommendations based on the final output of a digital file.
- Recommendations are not provided for PPI (Pixels per Inch), LPI (Lines per Inch), or DPI (Dots per Inch).
- After creating a digital file, review the final output resolution to ensure print quality meets expectations.
Image Resolution Troubleshooting
- Great Product Photos
- Clear, high-quality images produce the best printing results.
- Adequate lighting and a camera resolution of at least 3 megapixels are recommended.
- Motion Blur, Blurry Photos, Blur Spots
- Using a flash or ensuring sufficient lighting helps the camera capture sharp images.
- Minimizing movement during photo capture reduces the risk of blur.
- Only clear, focused photos should be used for printing.
- Low Contrast Photos
- Low contrast often results from excessive or insufficient lighting, which reduces depth and causes prints to appear dull or flat.
- Stand 3-4 feet from the subject and use a flash to improve contrast.
- High-Contrast Photos
- High contrast occurs when parts of the image are overly bright or dark.
- Printed photos may appear darker than on screen due to device display settings.
- Indoors, use natural light and position the subject to face the light directly.
- Outdoors, avoid direct sunlight on the subject to prevent overexposure.
- Bright and Dark Areas
- Adjusting brightness in shadowed areas can cause light areas to become overly bright, and vice versa.
- These changes may lead to undesirable printed results.
- Overexposure on the Focus Area
- When a camera's flash is too close, it will reflect light and overexpose the subject.
- Dark Photos
- Dark images typically result from insufficient lighting or lack of flash.
- Use a flash or ensure adequate lighting when photographing indoors or in dim environments.
- Grainy Photos
- Graininess is usually caused by poor lighting conditions.
- Grainy images are unable to be edited to remove graininess, regardless of color format.
- Zoom in on key areas such as eyes or nose to check for graininess before uploading.